maskormenacelogs | Flimsy as it is

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Flimsy as it is

WHO: MITCHELL HUNDRED and POWER GIRL
WHERE: De Chima, the streets
WHEN: October 8th!
WHAT: Mitchell and Kryptonians are always a delight
WARNINGS: Should be none, but if anything comes up, I'll edit!

[ Today had...not been going so well, all things considered. Really, Mitchell didn't know what it was, if it was just the day, or if it was just his luck (as usual) getting back at him for a period of relative silence. Or as silent as it could be, all things considered. Hell, he'd even gotten his scanners off the bat without a hitch, or so he'd thought.

So maybe it was just the day. Maybe it was just the fact that he was just that kind of person, but the jeers were something he could ignore. After all, it was just words.

Just until the moment that someone lobbed a giant, red piece of fruit went sailing right for his head.

Unfortunately, he couldn't talk to fruit to stop it like he could weapons. ]

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[ Something white and blurry slips in between Mitch and the fruity assailant, the fruit getting caught in a gloved hand before it can splatter Mitch or anyone else in its trajectory. Coming into focus is Peej, holding the fruit in one hand and the other on her hip, tossing the other guy a flat look. ]

Didn't anyone ever tell you not to waste your food?

[ The local walks away without a retort, disgruntled, but other than the fruit he's clearly not a threat to anyone.

Peej tosses the fruit up in the air and catches it as she turns to face Mitch. ]

Jeez, I thought fruit tossing was something that only happened in the movies.

[ Damn.

Damn that was smooth. That was impressive.

Mitch looked on with a wide open mouth, wide eyes, and it took him nearly thirty seconds before he responded. He didn't know why he didn't respond sooner, but it was so damn smooth that he was almost shell shocked.

Well, if he'd been the hero taking action, he'd have likely just ended up with the fruit splattering his helmet rather than on the other person. ]

You'd think, but... I've been splashed with hot coffee, shot with arrows...

Fruit? That's kind of par for the course.

[ A weak grin. ] Since I can turn off guns, it's probably the better bet. You didn't...ruin your suit, did you?

Arrows? Not... here, I hope.

[ She gives the fruit another toss before lightly tossing it toward Mitch. Think fast, Ambassador. A shake of her head follows. ]

Suit's fine. [ Some of the locals on the streets are eyeing them closely, so she moves closer to Mitch. ] Maybe we should keep walking. Unless you want to avoid the streets completely.

[ Peej points a finger skyward. Need a lift? ]

[ He reached out for it, and managed to get it, but dropped it immediately afterward.

Because Mitchell Hundred was a klutz. There's a reason why he didn't cut it as a superhero after all. He even comically bounced it between one hand and another, before it finally fell to the ground. ]

Ah --

That might not be a bad idea? I mean, if you don't mind... I don't exactly carry my old way of flying around with me these days.

Alright, just hold on tight and if you're afraid of heights? Don't look down.

[ She loops an arm around him and though it doesn't look very secure, Mitch will definitely feel she's got a firm grasp on him as she lifts them both into the air. She's done this more than enough times to know how to hoist someone way up in the sky. ]

What's with the prickly locals today?

[ Mitch was quiet, but there's a look on his face, not-quite trepidation, not-quite fear, but something indiscernible in his expression. His lips curled slightly. His favorite part about flying had always been the taking off, and even without fire on his ass, it was still the same, when Power Girl took off. ]

I think they're just determined to let me know how annoyed they are that we exist. Ever since Crane took out the swear-in, people have been...less than happy with imports as a whole.

I mean, we've done what we can, but...these things take time. [ He spoke up, just loud enough to be audible over the wind to a normal person. He knew he didn't have to do that with Power Girl, but old habits died hard. ]

[ She continues to look forward, the wind that hits her face hardly a concern, but upon mention of Crane her gaze hardens and eyes slim. She also can't help the way her lip slightly curls, revealing her gritted teeth. ]

Anything we can do to help? Repairs, donations, etc.?

Oh, and where to, Ambassador?

[ She doubts Mitch wants to stay up in the air for a prolonged period of time. Most non-fliers don't. ]

Oh, uh --

My office is fine.

[ Sometimes, he still got dazed by being around...someone as impressive as Power Girl. ]

Anyway, I'm -- We started something to make the swear-ins safer, but I can only raise security so high, you know? [ Oh, did he ever know. In a post-9/11 world... that had been a necessity, but that always went poorly, at some point. ]

We need people making as big a splash positively as people are doing so negatively.

Sure thing. What street?

[ She catches his awe, unable to help a small, boastful smirk at that. Every now and then she does genuinely miss the impressed looks she would get from complete strangers in the street whether she was talking to them or just flying on by at random. People knew who she was and respected her.

Of course, it doesn't help that Lucifer's influence caused her to lash out on people and tear up some property as a result. That's going to hurt her image. ]

Too high and people might get more paranoid. Were you at the last Swear-In? They weren't exactly subtle with their anti-Communism approach.

Oh, it's --

[ A pause, while he looked down. ] North, a bit. Pine and Liberty.

[ It honestly? It honestly wasn't that far, but even still, he shifted slightly, and then stopped, trying to keep still. He knew he wasn't exactly being easy to carry. He kept his eyes down, instead. ]

Exactly. I mean, there's -- it's a hard balance, and I don't know if it's something anyone can exactly get right. Not perfectly, anyway. But...I aim to do my best, honestly. What we can, you know?

But... we need to show what we can do, too. I never thought I'd be advocating superheros, but... I think it could help.

Don't go knocking us so soon.

[ She angles her body slightly to make a gentle turn in the right direction, going at a steady pace to avoid any turbulence on Mitch's end. She really doesn't want him vomiting on her clean uniform. ]

I know we haven't had the best [ a beat ] track record.

Yeah, but... I don't know. The problem is that we have groups like Archangel going too far, and shitheads like Crane going even further...

I wish there was a way to show people that even unregistered imports aren't terrible. It's just hard, since it's... it's a difficult place to be in, I'm sure. [ He angled his head up. ] I'm sure you know that one well, actually.

Archangel has good intentions.

[ But she's heard they've run into a number of problems, which resulted in more problems and setbacks. She's certain Kanaya still runs with them, so she'll have to double-check and see how that group has been doing recently. ]

So do I. Even if we might be split as a group on the Registration debate, we've been able to work as a community for the most part when it was necessary. The Hornets, imPort criminal attacks...

We're just not well organized. You weren't there, but when a group of us went after the Hornets' HQ? Sure, we were successful, but it was chaos.

That doesn't surprise me.

[ He said, and his tone was bland. It wasn't an insult, it just was. He remembered when he was a superhero, and how poorly organized he'd been for a good majority of his superheroic career. ]

A split community with no leader's going to be disorganized. And everyone's so focused on registration that... it seems like not enough gets done, you know? The real problem is that both arguments have merits, and there's no... artful way to compromise this down, especially when it's not our laws getting in the way. [ THAT was what was frustrating. ]

You sound like you have ideas, though.

Like I've mentioned to you before, I would like to construct my own team. Vetted, trained and on standby for whatever is thrown our way.

Much easier said than done.

[ There's still the lack of resources, plus the time she's going to need to put in seeking out potential candidates, invitations, evaluations, training... not to mention that because of how unstable their existence is in this world, she could build a team only to lose half of it in a month or two. ]

Yeah, it is.

[ Up high, like this, not on the network? He can be a little more frank. He doesn't have to be the polished politician, because he trusts Peej. He knows she isn't going to sell him out to save her own skin and political career, and in that instant, he shifted, eyes down, before he looked back up. A decision. ]

I think in the end... you have to just do it. Find the way, right? You know what you're up against, government wise. You know I can't... exactly help you with that. On the books.

[ As she draws closer to Mitch's destination, she begins her descent, slow and easy for Mitch's sake. ]

What would you be willing to do?

[ Or rather, what can he do if he decided to help out? She can't think of anything herself right now that requires his assistance, but she knows she can't drag him into anything that would jeopardize his ambassadorship. ]

Off the books?

[ A laugh, and it's a touch nervous, he looked down and around the cityscape below, she couldn't see, but his eyes darted back and forth. Mitch's nature -- the one that would break the rules when convenient, but smile and say he didn't do anything of the sort when anyone asked.

But that was what he had to do, wasn't it? He was a politician, after all. As much as Mitchell spoke and degraded his line of work, it was a sad, but basic truth. There would be no way around it. No way to avoid it, or pretend it wasn't true. He looked up, after a moment. ]

Something. Maybe get you guys some intel, if there's anything on the cameras in De Chima. I could -- It's not like I can't... get in contact with you quick. [ He tapped the side of his head, the one with the latticework of scars. ]

I'll keep that in mind.

[ She's grateful, honestly; there's not a lot Mitch can offer given his position and being in the public eye, but the fact he's willing to do anything is wonderful to hear. ]

Normally, I would go about this my own way for the most part, but any advice?

[ It's a different world, a different political atmosphere and one Mitch knows or is getting to know a lot better as he's involved in that aspect of it. ]

Hm --

[ He's not actually used to even being asked for advice. In all honesty, he doesn't really even know what to do for a moment, more stunned that someone is asking more than anything else.

Especially given how easily people give into the "it doesn't matter" model -- thinking that the political realities won't touch them. He held a hand to his chin, ignoring the slight windburn on his lips. ]

I think you know to keep your heads down. I'd say don't give any media statements at first. Just get in, do the work, and get out. If you do that enough, people will want to know who you are. And I know it's going to probably be hard, but if you start out with the innocuous shit first -- saving kids from a moving car, that kind of thing? It'd help your public image from the get go.

We don't want your group to be the next Archangel, after all, and Rise is too...paramilitary. Maybe somewhere in the middle?

Going down.

[ They're nearing the sidewalk, with a group of pedestrians looking up to see local imPort Ambassador making quite the entrance with Power Girl of all people. ]

I actually wondered about that: media statements. I'm so accustomed to having to make them and my worry was by not making any people would make assumptions.

[ She shakes her head. ]

I don't have any intention of doing things militaristic. Sort of tried it back home and it didn't prove the most effective.

They might. That's why if you start small, and do things that nobody can say you're more than a good Samaritan for, you'd be in the clear.

Once things...start, maybe short statements.

[ He looked down, once he was on the ground, and brushed his suit slightly, offering a smile and a handwave to the people looking at them. After all, he did had a reputation to upkeep, and being friendly with the locals was vital. ]

But I agree with paramilitary groups. I think RISE is successful because it uses the government to it's advantage. But anyone else? Probably wouldn't do.

[ Peej would normally carry on with her business as casually as possible, but it's easy to mistake it as coldness so she makes sure to make eye contact with the locals and give them a friendly wave. ]

Sounds about right. Something flashy and the government will get worried, won't they?

[ Archangel was less than subtle, apparently. ]

I don't know how to feel about RISE either. Their leader... something about her doesn't sit right with me.

She's...cold, I'll give you that. Impressive, and scary, but...

I can't blame you. She told me once that I was wasting her time by talking. [ A half-laugh. ] I mean, I probably was, but... I think she's just so focused that anything that isn't work is troublesome.

[ He doesn't know how to feel about that, but hey. Major General Armstrong is a hell of a person.

And she scares the bejesus out of him. ]

I think if you strike a median, you'll be okay. I mean, especially if your whole group comes to swear-ins, but I'd... maybe keep someone with supplies, just in case. We're going to try -- after we get done with the scanners -- to go for supply caches, I think, too.

But anything your group can do to get things rolling, supplies, maybe other things like that, maybe even stuff to bring people in and happy with us again, could really help.

Scanners? Did you and your people [ whoever they are ] get clearance for that?

[ It's not such a bad idea if it's not an intrusive device. Given their track record with Swear-Ins, something like that is sorely needed for the time being. ]

I'll definitely keep it in mind. I've got an idea of how I want this team to look, it's finding the right people.

Do you know Frederick Chilton, by the way?

Yeah, we've been working with the government. For the swear-ins only, no invasions of privacy here.

[ He held up his hands, too used to Edward Nygma throwing fits over every restriction or intrusion, not understanding that sometimes there had to be a balance. ]

But yes, I know Dr. Chilton, nice guy. I thought to ask him to help out if needed, profiles and that sort, a kind of task force for knowing who's coming into the city so I can be a little bit more on top of the potential threats.

Seems willing enough to help, all things considered.

Hm.

[ There's something weighing on her mind. ]

He approached me, offering his services, but I haven't taken him up on it yet.

Huh, he's everywhere, isn't he?

[ He shook his head. ]

I think he's from the same world as Will Graham? Anyway, I was going to tap his services, so...if you did as well...

[ It could be a connection, at least. ]

Do you trust him?

[ Chilton did once have her believe Kaidan Alenko was potentially dangerous and he basically confessed offering her his services was not out of the good of his heart. ]

I don't know him well enough, honestly.

I thought I'd take his services, and see how he does. Nothing confidential, but something that will let me see how he works. [ He rolled his shoulders. ]

Have you worked with him before?

No, and that's where my concern lies.

[ She'll admit this to Mitch since she hasn't mentioned this to anyone else yet. Mitch, being a politician, has without a doubt had to make bold moves while there were potential risks. ]

On one hand, if he conducts evaluations we'll have that to back us, but it's the confidential information he'll have in his grasp I worry about.

[ Chilton wouldn't break doctor-confidentiality, would he? She hasn't forgotten the Kaidan situation. ]

Edited 2015-11-03 00:09 (UTC)

Yeah.

[ Mitchell, too, has his reservations. Not because he doesn't trust Chilton, per se, but because he doesn't trust anyone. But... ]

I suppose someone has to give him a chance. It'd be nicer if we could have an auditing process of some sort. Some kind of quality review on his work, but I don't know if there are any psychologists around who could do that.

Because I don't know about you, but I'm sure as fuck not using Crane.

I wouldn't subject anyone to Crane.

[ Least of all people she needs to trust her.

She's hoping Chilton is trustworthy enough in that case. If she makes a bad decision here, it's going to echo throughout the whole potential team. ]

I could ask around, see if there's anyone who's familiar with his services who could put in a good word for him.

[ Nothing personal, just a simple helpful vs. unhelpful answer. ]

Yeah. I think it's not a bad idea. I know Will Graham, and I was going to see what he thought, but...

Well, I don't know, he might just tell me what I want to hear. He's married to someone who works for me, so...

[ It gets complicated. April is complicated, he guesses he could say. Since she's so... April. ]

If you hear anything, mind letting me know? I'll do the same for you, of course.

Of course, Ambassador Hundred.

[ Huh. "Mayor" had a better ring to it, she thinks. ]

I'll figure this out. [ She glances up and down the sidewalk. ] You good to go from here?

[ He'd agree. ]

Yeah, I think I got it. Thanks for the lift, really. I appreciate it.

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